_The Encampment and Pavilion of the Green Knight--on one
Side a large Oak Tree, on which several Knights in shining
Armour, are seen hanging--on the other Side is a Tree, to which a
Shield, marked with magical Characters, is suspended, and guarded
by a Saracen Priest._ (Phillips.)
_The Lady FLORIMONDA discovered embroidering a Scarf--She hears a
distant march, looks out in hopes of some Knight's approach--the
Green Knight enters, in brilliant armour, preceded by Saracen
Warriors--he offers the Lady FLORIMONDA his hand, which she
rejects, and shews him these words, embroidered on the scarf_:
"Florimonda will wed the Knight, who frees
her from Agramant."
_He threatens, and strikes the scarf from her hand--she falls on her
knees in despair--a trumpet is sounded without--AGRAMANT orders
it to be answered--EGLANTINE enters, and offers to fight with
him--the Green Knight points to the tree where the other knights
are hanging, and disdaining the youthful appearance of EGLANTINE,
advises her to avoid the combat--she insists on a trial--they
fight--she is overthrown--the Green Knight is about to put her
to death, when VALENTINE rushes on, discovers EGLANTINE, and
fiercely defies AGRAMANT, who, in derision, bids him try to pull
down the shield from the tree--when VALENTINE approaches the
shield, the Saracen Priest interposes, and speaks_:
PRIEST.
Forbear!--this shield protects a prince not nursed by woman.
_VALENTINE persists, and encounters the Green Knight, with
battle-axe, broad sword, &c.--VALENTINE is worsted--ORSON rushes
on, and begs to fight AGRAMANT--VALENTINE recollects the words of
the priest, and bids ORSON try to pull away the shield--which he
is about to seize, when the priest again says_:
Forbear!--this shield protects a prince not nursed by woman.
_ORSON, not regarding him, approaches the shield, and it flies
into his hand--the Green Knight, forewarned of his fate,
rushes on ORSON in savage desperation--but every weapon
breaks on the enchanted shield--ORSON strikes AGRAMANT to
the ground--VALENTINE's soldiers rush on, and vanquish the
Saracens--thunder is heard, and the Genius PACOLET is seen
descending on a flying horse--he alights, comes forward, and
addresses the characters._
PACOLET.
(_To Agram._) Thine ill-earned laurels must to virtue yield,
(_To Orson_) While thou hast freed the Genius of the Shield;
To yonder castle haste (_To Valen._) a golden head,
The wild-man's birth, and your's, shall truly read.
Then hence, brave knight, while honour you pursue,
This ring has power enchantment to subdue.
_PACOLET gives a ring to VALENTINE, waves his wand, they follow
him._